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Last year, midway through his second season with the Rams, running back Isaiah Pead knew something had to change — and fast.

“I didn’t have a role on offense, on the team, period,” he recalled, talking after Thursday’s practice at Rams Park in Earth City. “I hadn’t been playing — just getting dressed and standing on the sideline — so I went to (special teams coordinator John Fassel) and asked him to let me run down on kickoffs, punts, something ...

“My mindset was to just get on the field.”

Pead, a second-round draft choice by the Rams in 2012, excelled on special teams during the final seven games.

“Not only was he a contributor, he was a high-impact guy for us,” Fassel said earlier this week. “I think a lot of people are going to see a lot of growth out of that guy ... I just imagine with his maturity, his work ethic, his ability, I would imagine he’s going to have a fantastic preseason.”

Pead, who has 75 rushing yards and 94 receiving yards over two pro seasons, is looking to parlay his special teams success into increased playing time within the Rams’ offense.

“Coach Fassel gave me a role to fill, and I put my best foot forward,” the 24-year-old Pead said. “This is a new year, and I’m focused on playing running back. Focused on helping on special teams also, but my main focus is getting back there in the backfield.

“This year early, special teams is going to be my role. But I’m focused on changing my role to running back.”

Zac Stacy, who led the team with 973 yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie last year, is the returning starter, but offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer expects Pead to play a part in the backfield competition during training camp along with fellow backs Benny Cunningham, Tre Mason, Chase Reynolds and Trey Watts.

Pead is “doing good. He ran with the 1’s some today and did a nice job,” Schottenheimer said after Tuesday’s workout. Pead “took a big step up for (Fassel) on special teams. When a guy does that, he’s obviously going to be dressed every day on gameday, which is a big thing for us because you don’t get everybody dressed for gameday.

“He’s really getting better — I think getting comfortable in the system helps — (he’s) a terrific matchup problem for the defense coming out of the backfield, and he’s made some big plays for us.”

RAM-BLINGS

• With today’s session canceled by coach Jeff Fisher, the Rams held the last of their organized team activities on Thursday. Fisher had a little bit of fun to close out the OTAs with the offensive and defensive linemen in a punt-catching competition. The defensive line won the competition, 5-2.

“It was obvious that the defensive guys have been practicing ... not here, but some place,” Fisher kidded. “I was pretty impressed. Last year, I don’t even think they touched the ball.”

• The players were enthusiastic throughout Thursday’s fast-paced workout. In a lighter moment, undrafted rookie free agent defensive tackle Ethan Westbrooks tipped and intercepted a pass from Austin Davis and for an instant headed the wrong way before correcting himself.

Later in practice, veteran linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar picked off a pass in the flat and then punted the ball down the field.

• The Rams’ 11-player draft class will stick around today and then head to suburban Cleveland for the NFL’s rookie symposium dealing with league history, total wellness, professional experience and workplace conduct.

• Throwing in back-to-back OTAs for the first time, quarterback Sam Bradford looked sharp again on Thursday. On one of his better passes Thursday, Stedman Bailey came up with a leaping grab in the back of the end zone in tight coverage from safety T.J. McDonald.

• Matt Daniels, a third-year safety who saw his first two seasons cut short by knee injuries, returned to the practice field. Rookie receiver Jamaine Sherman and safety Christian Bryant continue rehab work with trainers. Fisher said Bryant and left tackle Jake Long are the players who aren’t expected to be ready for the start of training camp in late July. Long, coming off knee surgery, took part in some individual drills Thursday.

When Pead was coming out Greg Cosell said Pead moves like Lesean McCoy. I know most are ready to write Pead off but I'm hoping this guy puts it together this season, much like Quick. He can catch" he's improving in blitz pickup, and he's damn good on special teams. I'm rooting for him...if he realizes his potential, he can be a lead back

When Pead was coming out Greg Cosell said Pead moves like Lesean McCoy. I know most are ready to write Pead off but I'm hoping this guy puts it together this season, much like Quick. He can catch" he's improving in blitz pickup, and he's damn good on special teams. I'm rooting for him...if he realizes his potential, he can be a lead back

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lead back has long passed. stacy and mason aren't going anywhere. his best chance is 3rd down specialist. he should be quite good at it.

lead back has long passed. stacy and mason aren't going anywhere. his best chance is 3rd down specialist. he should be quite good at it.

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Larry Johnson was a back that was drafted high behind Priest Holmes that took a while to live up to his draft status. Not saying this is Pead but he was held in high regard coming out of the draft. No telling how he turns out at this point but it would be foolish to give up on a 2nd rounder before his 3rd year IMO.

Isaiah is the best third down RB option this team has in that he can run, catch and block. After getting into the habit of ignoring his mediocre blockers and freelancing at the collegiate level, he attempted to do the same at the NFL stage early on with disastrous results. He has had to gradually learn move in synchronization behind pro-level blockers. And all this is when he was not screwing up in other off-the-field manners his first two years.

I would like to see this guy mature as an NFL player to see why he was compared to Marshall Faulk coming out of college.

Pead is “doing good. He ran with the 1’s some today and did a nice job,” Schottenheimer said after Tuesday’s workout. Pead “took a big step up for (Fassel) on special teams. When a guy does that, he’s obviously going to be dressed every day on gameday, which is a big thing for us because you don’t get everybody dressed for gameday.

“He’s really getting better — I think getting comfortable in the system helps — (he’s) a terrific matchup problem for the defense coming out of the backfield, and he’s made some big plays for us.”

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I was really wondering if Schottenhiemer could see or saw this aspect of his game.

When Pead was coming out Greg Cosell said Pead moves like Lesean McCoy. I know most are ready to write Pead off but I'm hoping this guy puts it together this season, much like Quick. He can catch" he's improving in blitz pickup, and he's damn good on special teams. I'm rooting for him...if he realizes his potential, he can be a lead back

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I'd like to root for him as well but I think his chances are slim. As the coaches have mentioned in the past, he has an opportunity as a 3rd down back in passing situations, but I just can't see him overtaking Stacy AND Mason. He's in the same boat as Quick, but Quick has much better odds in my opinion.

Thing is, he's had his chances and he's fumbled them away, literally. Yeah he's made some decent plays, but all I remember from him, other than maybe one play in that home game against the Seahawks this past year (TD or 2 pt conversion?), is him fumbling.

Here's a way to look at it. Pead breaks out and becomes a part of the committee, this means either Stacy or Mason bust....OR....Stacy and Mason are the committee and Pead is a goner. Either way we're in a sticky situation.

Yeah we could still use all three of these backs, but all of them as a RB committee? Unlikely. One of them will be relegated to special teams or other limited situations, or cut.

Keeping Pead didn't stop them from drafting Stacy and Mason, and they let Richardson go when he fell behind in the depth chart too.

In that light I'm not worried about their ability to evaluate his value to the team.

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Me either, although it's interesting to think of where he would be if he didn't step up on special teams. That's something Richardson didn't have going for him. I'm curious how Richardson will do with the Jets, if he even gets a chance.

My take is that we are going to need multiple running backs just to make it through the season if we are really committed to running the ball 50% of the time. The NFC West is going to be physical. I'm happy with our depth at the RB position for the first time in years going into a season. Let these guys compete and the coaching staff will find the best rolls for each and determine the depth chart.

Those few fumbles lost changed everything for Pead including his sulking attitude. I remember seeing his highlight videos after the draft and was fairly excited. Don't think we have seen his true potential yet.

Me either, although it's interesting to think of where he would be if he didn't step up on special teams. That's something Richardson didn't have going for him. I'm curious how Richardson will do with the Jets, if he even gets a chance.

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Richardson had a turf toe injury last year. Some players never fully recover from it. The Rams didn't gain anything by letting him go so they probably thought he didn't have a future in the NFL.